Kane's two goals power Sabres past Maple Leafs
TORONTO --Evander Kane scored two goals in the first period and the Buffalo Sabres went on to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Saturday night.
Jack Eichel had three assists for the Sabres and Sam Reinhart had a goal and an assist.
Sabres goaltender Robin Lehner made 43 saves in helping to hold off the Maple Leafs, who applied third-period pressure and came close a couple times.
It was the first win for the Sabres (23-22-10) over the Maple Leafs (25-18-11) in three meetings this season. They play twice more this season.
Mitch Marner scored for the Maple Leafs, who lost two in a row.
Toronto goaltender Frederik Andersen made 20 saves and was removed for an extra attacker with a little over 3:30 remaining.
The Sabres took a 1-0 lead at 4:13 of the first period on the first goal of the game by Kane, a shot from the right circle after a faceoff.
Reinhart scored his 12th goal of the season at 5:08 of the first on a power play and Buffalo led 2-0. Toronto defenseman Jake Gardiner was serving a hooking penalty.
Kane scored his second goal of the game and 18th of the season at 18:02 of the first. Eichel earned his third assist of the game. The Sabres led 3-0 after the first period despite being outshot 13-10.
The Maple Leafs scored on a power play at 15:57 of the second period on a wrap-around effort by Marner, his 15th goal of the season. Buffalo defenseman Josh Jorges was off for tripping.
NOTES: Buffalo D Cody Franson (foot), a former Maple Leaf, will be out 2-to-3 weeks after he was injured while stopping a shot in the loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. D Taylor Fedun moved into Franson's spot in the lineup. ... Sabres C Zemgus Girgensons (middle body) missed his second straight game and is expected to miss at least one more contest. ... The Sabres recalled LW Evan Rodrigues from Rochester of the AHL. He played two games with Buffalo earlier this season. ... Toronto RW Nikita Soshnikov (upper body injury) missed his second straight game. ... The Maple Leafs complete a four-game homestand Tuesday against the New York Islanders. ... The Sabres are home Sunday to the Vancouver Canucks.